India tour of South Africa: Virat Kohli and Co to play only Tests and ODIs, T20Is to be rescheduled in 2022

(Source: Twitter)

The Omicron threat will not be able to stop Indian men's cricket team from touring South Africa this month. Cricket South Africa (CSA), on Saturday (Decemeber 3) confirmed the news that 'the India Tour will continue as originally scheduled, with a few adjustment to the logistical arrangements, such as the arrival time of the India Team'. 

The CSA release state that the arrival timings of the India team will be moved out by a week, to allow for effective logistical planning. It also said that the T20Is will be dropped from this year's tour and will be played next year some time.

That means India will play only Tests and ODIs on their tour to SA. They will play 3 Tests and ODIs eacg. The 4 T20Is, as planned earlier, will be rescheduled in next year.

INDIA TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA CONFIRMED _

CSA can confirm that the #SAvIND Tour will go ahead as originally planned but will be reduced _

3__ Tests
3__ ODIs

The 4 T20I matches will be rescheduled in the new year#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/Kq6WY0fyuJ

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 4, 2021

CSA said that matches will be played keeping in mind the Bubble Safe Environment (BSEs) and all efforts are being put to create a safe playing environment for players. 

The venues for the tour are not yet decided due to the last-minute logistical changes but CSA said that they will come out with a schedule in next two days.

CSA’s main focus is to safeguard the cricket biosphere by managing strict entry standards and limited movement outside of its cordon.  CSA will confirm the venues in the next 48 hours, said CSA in a release.

Later, BCCI secretary Jay Shah also confirmed the development, saying that the Indian team will depart for South Africa a week later than planned

"India's tour of South Africa, 2021-22, will proceed with the revised dates and itinerary. The team will participate in a three-match Test series followed by a three-match ODI series starting December 26," stated BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

CSA and Shah's statements came as the Indian Board officials met for an Annual General Meeting in Kolkata.

"The remaining four T20Is will be played at a later date," Shah said.

South Africa's discovery of the Omicron variant has caused much trepidation as cases have soared in the country. The number of new cases in South Africa has zoomed from close to 200 a day in mid-November to over 16,000 on Friday.

The Netherlands tour of the Rainbow Nation also had to be abandoned after the emergence of the new variant triggered panic all around the world with many countries imposing travel bans on the country.

CSA also had to postpone its domestic fixtures after some of the players tested positive for the virus on arrival.

However, the India A squad stayed on in South Africa raising hopes that the subsequent senior tour will go ahead.

India also did not ban flights from South Africa though it put the nation in the "at risk" category.

The India tour not taking place would have caused massive financial damage to the CSA.

Acting CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki thanked his BCCI counterparts for their support in these trying times.

"I would like to thank both the leadership of Cricket South Africa, as well as the leadership of the BCCI for working so tirelessly to make this tour a reality.

"Even under the most uncertain times, the Boards kept the light of hope alive and kept us anticipating that this tour will indeed take place.

"For us as CSA it is always a meeting of old friends when the Proteas take on India, but we will still present the fans with a compelling proposition and a great spectacle to watch," said Moseki.